It marks one year since Dezi Hughes and Kathlynn Shepard were abducted while walking home from school.

The school and community remembered Kathlynn with an emotional ceremony.

Students gathered on the football field at Southeast Webster High School in Burnside to remember.

Kathlynn's family was also there -- her brother and sister released purple balloons in her honor.

It was an emotional ceremony for everyone. Students, law enforcement officials, and community members tried to hold back tears.

Kathlynn's parents said they couldn't have gotten through the last year without everyone's support.

"It was amazing and just the continued support and the continued love from the community and the surrounding communities has just been, I mean there are no words to describe it," said Mike Shepard, Kathlynn's father.

A somber anniversary today for the small town of Dayton. Today marks one year since Dezi Hughes and Kathlynn Shepard were abducted while walking home from school. And today that school community remembered Kathlynn with an emotional ceremony. Students gathered on the football field at SE Webster High School in Burnside. Kathlynn's family was also there. Her brother and sister released purple balloons in her honor. It was an emotional ceremony for everyone . Students, law enforcement officials, and community members tried to hold back tears. Kathlynn's parents say they couldn't have gotten through the last year without everyone's support. IT WAS AMAZING, AND JUST THE CONTINUED SUPPORT AND THE CONTINUED LOVE FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES HAS JUST BEEN...I MEAN THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT. Coming up tonight at 6, we'll hear from one of Kathlynn's best friends. She shares for the first time what it's been like to cope with the loss the past year.

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